Celiac Disease is a genetic disorder affecting children and adults. People with celiac disease are unable to eat foods that contain gluten, which is found in barley, oat, rye, wheat and other grains. In people with Celiac Disease, gluten sets off an autoimmune reaction that causes the destruction of the villi in the small intestine. Celiac sufferers produce antibodies that attack the intestine, causing damage and illness. Click here to see some of the published research.

Nearly one out of every 133 Americans suffer from Celiac Disease, according to a study by Alessio Fasano, M.D. with the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research. The research indicates that CD is twice as common as Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis and cystic fibrosis combined.

In addition to the approximate 1 million Americans suffering from classical Celiac Disease, there are an equal number of individuals with silent or latent Celiac Disease who are unaware of their condition because they do not have the signs and symptoms typically associated with CD. These individuals run the risk of developing full-blown CD later in life and complications such as bowel cancer, infertility and autoimmune diseases, making proper and early diagnosis very important.

Symptoms associated with Celiac Disease...

Symptoms of Celiac Disease include diarrhea, failure to thrive, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, weakness, malnutrition, weight gain & bloating, and various gastrointestinal problems. In children, the symptoms may include failure to thrive (an inability to grow and put on weight), irritability, an inability to concentrate, diarrhea and bloating. Further, people affected by Celiac Disease may experience extra intestinal symptoms that involve many systems and organs including bones (osteoporosis, arthritis and joint pain), blood (anemia and bleeding), reproductive system (infertility and reoccurring abortion), nervous system (chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, dementia) and behavioral changes.

How is Celiac Disease diagnosed?

At one time, a biopsy of the intestine (before beginning a gluten free diet) was the only way to determine if someone had Celiac Disease, but now a simple blood test known as a cd Scan, which DOES NOT require a blood sample to be sent to the laboratory, is available to screen for the presence of specific antibodies present in Celiac Disease.

What are the long-term effects of Celiac Disease?

Untreated Celiac Disease can be life threatening. Celiacs are more likely to be afflicted with problems relating to malabsorption, including osteoporosis, tooth enamel defects, central and peripheral nervous system disease, weight gain & bloating, pancreatic disease, internal hemorrhaging, organ disorders (gall bladder, liver and spleen), diabetes, a failure to thrive and gynecological disorders. Untreated Celiac Disease has also been linked an increased risk of certain types of cancer, especially intestinal lymphoma.

What is the treatment for Celiac Disease? There are no drugs to treat Celiac Disease and there is no cure. But Celiacs can lead normal, healthy lives by following a gluten-free diet. This means avoiding all products derived from wheat, rye, barley, oats, and a few other lesser-known grains. The first, and most important, thing to do is find out whether or not you have Celiac Disease. If you are known to be gluten sensitivity or you experience any of the previously listed ill-health conditions, a cd Scan,can easily determine if you have Celiac Disease.